South African history

  • Jan 1, 1487

    Portuguese Bartolomeu Dias leads the first european voyage to South Africa

  • The Dutch Cape Colony is founded

  • The first slaveship arrives at the colony

  • War between colonists and natives

  • The British take over the Cape Colony

  • slaves are freed

  • The Cape becomes a self governing colony

  • The Union of South Africa is formed

  • Apartheid begins

  • Nelson Mandela is elected president

  • South Africa hosts the Football World Cup